Buccaneers Eyeing Career College Backup in NFL Draft?

In need of some new energy and a boost to their pass rush, could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bring in a player who never started a game in college?

Nobody thought Tom Brady would quarterback the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he left the New England Patriots following the 2019 NFL season.

Before that, nobody expected Bruce Arians to come out of retirement to coach a Bucs team that hadn't seen postseason play since he was coordinating Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 10-6 Wild Card appearance.

And just about everyone thought Brady would be returning for another year, perhaps even with Tampa Bay.

So, things happening with the Buccaneers that nobody expects are not all that unusual.

This means drafting a prospect who never started a game in college, should be the next square covered on your weird Bucs bingo card.

"Shaquil Barrett should be returning from a torn Achilles, but the edge rush group could otherwise see a lot of turnover in free agency," says ESPN in their latest mock draft, in which Tampa Bay selects Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness with pick No. 19. "Van Ness, meanwhile, never started a game at Iowa but managed back-to-back seasons with seven sacks. His length, quickness and power would be welcomed in Tampa Bay, where pressuring the QB is a big part of the team's defensive identity."

Van Ness projects to be a 5-tech in coach Todd Bowles' defense, which is a position expected to be addressed this offseason.

Last year, the Buccaneers made it clear they wanted better pass rush pressure from their down linemen, and they signed veteran Akiem Hicks while drafting Logan Hall out of Houston in the second round to get it.

The duo combined for four sacks and 26 total pressures. Well below the total provided by Ndamukong Suh alone in 2021.

Heading back to the drawing board, drafting a first-round prospect whose first NFL start would be his first since high school sounds risky.

But there's a saying about what the Bucs have been willing to do since 2019 to get biscuits (which are good things) that may just apply in this situation.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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